E3 Optimism: Our Top Hidden Gems of E3 2012

The internet has been assaulted by the furious keystrokes of dissatisfied core gamers. The focus of their angst can be placed on what some would call investor skewed presentations by the First-Party publishers (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft). We won’t be discussing this as I’d rather not be covered in Mountain-Dew flavored tears at the moment. Instead, let’s take a look at some of the overshadowed gems from the Third-Party publishers/developers at this year’s E3.

We’re all aware of the major releases from the Third-Party such as Borderlands 2 from 2K Games/Gearbox or Crysis 3 from EA/Crytek, but within this gaming tornado some of you might have missed a few of these amazingly innovative and exciting games coming soon:

Scribblenauts Unlimited (3DS, WiiU)

Being a game that will undoubtedly fully utilize the Nintendo 3DS and WiiU’s technological features, Scribblenauts Unlimited has the chance to be an absolute hit come the holiday season. The original title for the Nintendo DS was revolutionary enough in itself to merit the anticipation for its sequel.

5th Cell and Warner Bros. Interactive are promising around 20+ hours of gameplay which doesn’t account for the plethora of possibilities for simply conjuring anything one can imagine. Players will also be able to utilize the 3DS’s Street Pass to check out the seemingly unlimited ways of conquering any given puzzle. These new features along with a more intricate story will surely make Scribblenauts Unlimited a truly enjoyable interactive experience. The game is slated for a Holiday 2012 release on the 3DS with a WiiU release to follow.

First-Person games focusing on melee combat have been a somewhat untapped market. A few developers have tried to integrate interesting melee mechanics into their games, such as with Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, but none have focused their gameplay on brawling quite like ATLUS and ACE Team did with their 2009 release Zeno Clash. With the sequel, this collaboration plans to build on an already interesting concept to create a more polished and compelling gameplay experience.

Along with updated visuals to compliment the already established fantastical world of Zenozoik, the brawling mechanics have been overhauled to ensure full control over the combat. Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer is also being incorporated into the entire game to give players the chance to experience this fresh jolt to the FPS genre alongside a buddy. Get excited to punch stuff as Zeno Clash 2 has an expected 2013 release on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Store, and Steam.

There is no task more difficult than crafting a 2D side-scrolling platformer that contains ideas and features not seen before. Don’t tell that to developer/publisher Might and Delight though as their upcoming platformer Pid is attempting to spice up the genre. Mixing old-school platforming mechanics with new and complex methods of approaching each level, Pid is attempting to breathe life into an oversaturated genre.

The mechanics of Pid are what make it stand out intensely from its counterparts. Players will find themselves controlling a boy named Kurt who uses lightbeams to alter gravity. These lightbeams can be utilized in numerous ways, and when used in tandem with a friend (thanks to an included co-op mode) any obstacle can be overcome dynamically. A beautiful art style and soundtrack only add the this little game’s big impression. Pid currently has an expected 2012 release date on PC, PSN, and XBLA.

The video game world has been devoid of an excellent dungeon management game since titles like Dungeon Keeper have lost their luster. Thankfully, Paradox Interactive and Zeal Game Studios have brought back the genre in brilliant fashion, dwarf fashion. No group of characters is more fitting for such a revival than drunken dwarves, and the comedic tone alongside some impressively polished gameplay can do nothing short of excite you micromanaging sorts.

It was only a matter of time before a developer integrated proper randomly generated maps into a dungeon management game. Exploration never loses its freshness as players will constantly be presented with new maps to dig through. A wide variety of building customization also gives the players many tools to create practical and personalized settlements. Currently A Game of Dwarves has an expected Q4 2012 release for PC.

Without a doubt, the most interesting and impressive game of E3 2012 is Lucius. Have you ever wondered what was going through Damien’s mind in The Omen as he passively slaughtered those around him? Well he’s your chance to experience it fully. Lucius is a third-person horror game developed by Shiver Games. Players take control of a boy Lucius at the ripe old age of six as he discovers that he is the son of Satan. Guide Lucius as he uses his satanic powers to murder anyone and everyone around him.

The idea of putting the players in Lucius’s shoes is superb, and one cannot help but be intrigued by how the story and gameplay will progress. Lucius has a worldwide October 26, 2012 release date for the PC.